The Centrality of Knowledge

The advancement of civilization is propelled through increases in knowledge, as has been mentioned multiple times in previous posts. Every human being is a protagonist of humanity’s maturity, and all can contribute through a process of building on their latent capacities. Empowerment – which is a manifestation of justice – happens through knowledge, both of self and of reality. Thus, the generation, application, and diffusion of knowledge is not only a duty upon every person, but central to social life.

On a spiritual level, intellectual investigation, the use of the mind, and expansion of consciousness are unique spiritual endowments associated with powers of the soul. Science is the first emanation of God to humanity, and the capacity of understanding is one of God’s greatest gifts to us.

Developing our latent capacities and acquiring knowledge can only occur through a process of education. Our current educational systems – which have assumed responsibility for this process – are increasingly conceived in fragmented ways. Little wonder, then, that education is seen as a means to secure a job to uphold an economic status quo; that academia has become preoccupied with tending to its machinery of dissertations, publication credits, and grants; that learning is divorced from the values that underlie it.

What type of knowledge is useful? How can we develop a coherent understanding of the transformative potential of knowledge? How do we foster a culture of learning? How can empowerment and capacity building be fostered?